Keith Hipel, a longtime professor at Waterloo Engineering, was formally invested last week into the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest honours.

Hipel was made an officer of the Order, a rank that recognizes national service or achievement, by Governor General Julie Payette during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

A systems design engineering professor who earned three degrees at Waterloo as a student, Hipel was cited for developing “innovative decision models that have been used to design environmental strategies and address pollution conflicts worldwide.”

His citation described Hipel as a “pre-eminent leader” in his field and said his “interdisciplinary systems approach has been applied to such wide-ranging challenges as the management of water levels in the Great Lakes and sustainable energy development.”

It also noted he has held numerous leadership posts with academic and professional institutions, including president of the Academy of Science of the Royal Society of Canada.

Order includes almost 7,000 people

Hipel holds the title of University Professor, the highest academic honour at the University of Waterloo, and has won both the Distinguished Teacher Award and the Award of Excellence in Graduate Supervision.

He was one of eight new officers of the Order invested during the ceremony. Thirty-one people also became members, a designation for contributions at the local or regional level, or in a special field of activity.

Created in 1967 to recognize outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation, the Order includes almost 7,000 people from all walks of life.

Executive Actions at Orientation and beyond

It’s Thursday, September 13. Do you know what your president is up to?

With the start of an active Fall term schedule here is a non-exhaustive list of President Hamdullahpur's recent activities on and off campus and a look ahead at what's on his calendar.

The Fall term kicked off with the President welcoming students, parents, family members, staff and faculty to campus during Orientation Week activities. This included welcoming our new international students and our transfer and exchange students, connecting with new students and their families at the Family Send-Off event and four Warrior Welcome events as our new first year students gathered to celebrate with their new community.

President Hamdullahpur followed his Orientation Week activities by attending the Second Annual Invest India Conference in Toronto on September 5 at the invitation of the University’s ninth chancellor, Prem Watsa. The President was invited to take part in a panel called “Building a Brain Chain: Innovation and Research Collaboration” that was moderated by former Governor General and University of Waterloo President, the Rt. Hon. David Johnston, during a day of exploration on the topic of bridging the gap between Canada and India.

While at the Invest India Conference the President met with the Director of one of India’s leading research institutions, India Institute of Technology Madras, and signed a memorandum of understanding between our two universities to foster a stronger connection through ongoing discussions and potential research and program alignments.

President Hamdullahpur participated in the kick-off sessions of the Bridge to 2020 Strategic Plan consultation phase this week. The first two sessions centred on the Undergraduate Learning and Learning Environment issue papers with University community members also participating to discuss the future path and priorities of our University. The President will also be participating in upcoming consultation sessions in the coming weeks centred around topics such as Graduate Studies, Internationalization and Empowering People.

What’s next?

As the Strategic Plan consultation process continues the President will also be taking part in a number of on-campus and off-campus events and meetings.

With the start of the Fall term, it is also the beginning for thousands of new Warriors and the President will be taking the time in the coming weeks to stop in, visit with new students at some of their first year lectures and maybe take a selfie or two.

President Hamdullahpur will be attending the Accelerator Centre’s Annual General Meeting today as a long standing board member of the award-winning startup accelerator.

The President will be speaking at the Balsillie School of International Affairs 10th Anniversary celebrations on Friday, September 14 to honour this significant milestone, the growth of the School and its dedication to world-class research and educating the next generation of global talent.

The launch of the University of Waterloo’s United Way campaign is right around the corner and President Hamdullahpur will be welcoming the University community to the annual United Way Leadership and Volunteer Lunch on Tuesday, September 18.

The President welcomes our eleventh chancellor, Dominic Barton to campus on Friday, September 21 for a President’s Lecture on “Dimensions of Global Disruption”. President Hamdullahpur has invited the entire University community to attend and hear from our new chancellor and Global Managing Partner Emeritus at McKinsey & Company as his unique insights as a leading global thinker are sure to be of great interest to our future as an innovation University.

Reminder: President's Community Impact Award nominations

The nomination period for the President's Community Impact Awards is now open. Launched in 2017, the President’s Community Impact Awards celebrate great community leaders and the impact they create through volunteerism, philanthropy, or engagement.

The awards recognize individuals or teams of community members, students, staff or faculty who embody the University’s spirit of innovation and contribute to making Waterloo Region strong and prosperous.

Award winners may be distinguished through such community service activities as volunteer work, public speaking, school outreach, or other outstanding community service.

Library to open renovated space and other notes

"The third floor of Dana Porter Library is now open!" says a note from the Library. "All are welcome to join us on Monday September 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. to celebrate the grand opening of this new and improved space. While you’re enjoying refreshments, activities and a chance to win prizes, check out the new flexible learning lab, bookable study rooms and spacious lounge area with comfy (and environmentally friendly) seating, take a spin on the fun new swivel stools, or leave a message on one of the dry-erase tables. This is YOUR space…enjoy it!"

While we're on the subject, watch for the Centre for Extended Learning around the Dana Porter Library Quad on Friday, September 14between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. (weather permitting). Drop by for a Freezie, swag and to chat with staff about online learning as the CEL celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Body Groove with Cindy sessions begin this term on Tuesdays from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Engineering 7's 2nd floor pitch space (follow the signs). Participants can pay what they can at the class. Wear comfy clothes and shoes, bring a water bottle to take advantage of the nearby refill station, and a yoga mat or towel.